How I Spend Some Rainy Days

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

How is the weather in your world today?

Weather here has mostly been like in the first photo below. Alternatively it's been raining and a bit cold. But we've had a few warmer days and in the next few days the forecast is for considerably warmer weather. We'll see if that comes to pass.

I've been quite busy but when I am at home I've been keeping busy crocheting these two sets of dishcloths. I made them for gifts for 2 different friends.  One can always use a dishcloth because they need to be replaced every 6 months or so though I know some people use them for much longer.

I've also picked up the pace with my reading once again.  But I feel I want to make more time for doing new crafts.  I have several projects around the home in order to get ready for summer guests so I'm not sure I'll be able to work in new crafts until the Fall and Winter though I'd dearly love to do so.

In the meantime, I read more books, make more dishcloths or do more cooking and baking when I want to do something creative but don't quite have the time to do something 'new'. I have some plans for new hobbies, or old hobbies that need to be picked up again. At some point I'll feature them in this space.

I'm still working on reading the books in the first photo above. I completed The Family Upstairs, the first book in a series.  I found it well written and it kept me guessing until the very end.  I recommend it if you like mystery thrillers.  

I also really liked Pamela Anderson's collection of recipes.  There are a number I'd like to try but there is now a long waiting list for this book at the library so we'll see if I get a chance.

What about you? Are you working on any crafts or projects or are you already into summer relaxation? I'd love to hear in the comments section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

One Friday in March

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

I went to town on Friday. I had some business to take care of right in the heart of the city. Afterward, I walked through town all the way to Chinatown and took some photos along the way.

Each year I plant pansies.  I think they are a happy and hardy plant.  I haven't planted any yet but I saw these cute little pansies downtown.

I always like the 'lacy' effect of the bare branches against the sky.
 

The iconic Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 

The stained glass steeple caught my eye

A front view of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

The Vancouver Art Galley through the trees

The Holy Rosary Cathedral downtown

View to the North Shore mountains. It snowed overnight.

The Salvation Army Shelter downtown.

I was on my way to see the film "A Complete Unknown", a movie about Bob Dylan. It did not disappoint.

One of my recent reads. This book is set over 3 days in a Dublin maternity/fever hospital ward during the 1918 Flu Pandemic.  It's a very graphic book and quite gripping. I recommend it.

As always, I enjoy a bit of quiet time knitting these simple dishcloths.  The top one was made with 'good' cotton yarn. The bottom one was made with inexpensive cotton/polyester yarn purchased at the dollar store.

I hope you're enjoying your weekend so far. Thanks for visiting.

Reading

Bookshelf: read

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

The end of 2024 is fast approaching and I still have several books I'd like to complete before the year is ended. I met my modest reading goal of 30 books for 2024 some months ago but I'm trying to see how many more books I can complete this year.

I set my goal very modestly due to my intention to focus on 'creating' through various hobbies. I'll have more to say on that at the end of the year.

I keep track of most of my reading material on the Goodreads platform but they don't have a good widget for copying books as I've done above. Consequently there are a few errors. I did not read Shadows over the Zambezi (read in 2018) or Nothing but the Truth (read in 2022) this year.

It's hard to pick a favourite from these books but my top picks would include: The Armor of Light by Ken Follett,  The Venice Sketchbook by Rys Bowen, The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese and A Path Through the Highlands:  A Missionary Memoir From Papua New Guinea, by Jessica Cormier (presently a missionary to Kenya). I also enjoyed My Name is Barbra, by Barbra Streisand.  

Typically I like books that are written in a 'cosy' style, as in a conversational type of style. It helps me stay focussed on the information and it is more enjoyable late at night while reading. I also like books that present information in a straight forward manner (non-fiction) or one that gives personal details as in a memoir. Having said that, the Barbra Streisand memoir was very informative but almost overwhelming in terms of its details and facts. 

What about you dear reader? Do you like to read paper books or ebooks? Which do you prefer?  Do you also keep track of your reading?

I've put a link to each of the books in case you'd like to learn more and read one or two of them yourself. Happy reading!